Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 1d

Mobley in the mornin'

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 2d

Are We Good? No, really, are we?

Steven Feinartz's latest documentary about comedian and podcaster Marc Maron consists of themes of grief and self-doubt that are universal and wholly relatable.

Read more at @spectrumculture.bsky.social:
share.google/shWfvh9VcDWf...

Are We Good? - Spectrum Culture

The comedian and podcaster Marc Maron may be at the heart of Feinartz’s documentary, but its themes are universal and wholly relatable.

share.google

1 1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 7d

Gee, they ain't lyin', huh?

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 8d

"Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time!"

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social , I review the Munster Records reissue of one of the strangest yet essential '60s albums...The Monks' Black Monk Time:
spectrumculture.com/2025/09/30/t...

The Monks: Black Monk Time - Spectrum Culture

Most influential albums aren’t as enjoyable six decades later, but the Monks’ Black Monk Time is as engaging as it was back then, akin to an extraterrestrial discovery existing outside ‘60s nostalgia.

spectrumculture.com

1 6

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 9d

It's hard not to feel left out if you don't enjoy every "groundbreaking" album.

In my latest Substack post, I argue the hidden costs of these hype trains by highlighting a particular band: Geese
billstakes.substack.com/p/its-okay-i...

It's Okay If You Don't Like Geese.

The Hidden Costs of Hype Trains

billstakes.substack.com

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 10d

Thoughts that share the same energy:

"You have to watch the first two seasons before it gets good"

"You have to listen to the album over ten times before you can say if you like it or not"

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 16d

Doctor I trust more than RFK Jr

1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 17d

Tonight's watch: Kurosawa's Scandal

1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 20d

It's so frustrating because there are several times when I want to contribute, but it seems like others on the site only want to put others in their place to feel superior.

2

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 23d

This album slaps so hard. Electronic, pulsating grooves, head-nod inducing beats, great vox. Hard not to want to dance. So glad I picked this one up.

Debby Friday - The Starrr Of The Queen Of Life

1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 23d

"Though Josie and the Pussycats is a thoroughly enjoyable film that should be known beyond its small cult circles, the film’s themes should also be revisited, as they have become more relevant..."
Read more on @spectrumculture.bsky.social here:
spectrumculture.com/2025/09/15/r...

Rediscover: Josie and the Pussycats - Spectrum Culture

Like David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest, Josie and the Pussycats has become an unintentional prophecy of our current reality.

spectrumculture.com

1 3

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · 27d

Wrote on @spectrumculture.bsky.social about Nickelback, why they were so originally hated and why some are enjoying them years later.
Hint: Nostalgia plays a large role.
share.google/cvrt2nYqgaEl...

Holy Hell! All the Right Reasons Turns 20 - Spectrum Culture

Those who have liked Nickelback despite popular opinion can now do so with less fear. Online spaces exist for them, just as they exist for any like-minded grouping of people to gather.

share.google

1 2

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Sep 6

It's not October yet, but this LP feels right this morning.

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Sep 5

Pic related: At work, writing a very long, in-depth feature that dozens of people may read.

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Sep 5

"Brad Mehldau crafts a thoughtful, purposeful Elliott Smith-inspired album that, though fascinating and endearing, sometimes fails to capture the essence of the musician himself."

On @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about the latest Brad Mehldau album here:
spectrumculture.com/2025/09/04/b...

Brad Mehldau: Ride into the Sun - Spectrum Culture

Brad Mehldau crafts a thoughtful, purposeful Elliott Smith-inspired album that, though fascinating and endearing, sometimes fails to capture the essence of the musician himself.

spectrumculture.com

1 3

Reposted by Bill Cooper

Spectrum Culture @spectrumculture.bsky.social · Sep 5

We did it! We ranked all 259 U2 songs from worst to best. Thanks for taking this journey with us. Here is the final part:

spectrumculture.com/2025/09/04/e...

Every U2 Song Ranked: Part Twenty-Six: “One” (#10–1) - Spectrum Culture

Let’s focus on the good news: U2’s strongest material holds up.

spectrumculture.com

2 3 14

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 31

Damn, Metheny is throwing some serious shade on Kenny G in this here graf.

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 28

Wrote about "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," along with one of the greatest psychedelic soul albums of all time on Third Eye Psych Rock.

thirdeyepsychrock.blog/2025/08/26/a...

All Directions by The Temptations (1972) - The Third Eye

The Temptations’ All Directions turned internal resistance into triumph, with “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” redefining psychedelic soul.

thirdeyepsychrock.blog

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 12

Getting funky with one of the Temptations' best albums.

Notice how I said "one," as there are several bangers in their psychedelic soul section of their discography...

2

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 10

However, if you're looking for a more reasonable and easier to find power pop book, I recommend: Go All the Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop by Paul Myers, S.W. Lauden

Devoured it in two sittings, lots of great recs of records I've never heard of.

1 2

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 10

Jon Borack's Shake Some Action. It came out in 2007.
It's very cool, but incredibly rare because it had such a small print. I got it for a steep but reasonable price, but it's typically outrageous (75-100$), but if you keep an eye out you might find it for a decent price like me.

1 1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 10

So am I! Got this guy in a lot of records and read a power pop book recently that mentioned him. Listened to The Apple Bed last night and was really into it.

This record is cool too, but very 80s sophisti-pop type stuff.

1 1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 9

Thank you for reaching out!

I've actually heard this before. As a power pop fan, I've heard those albums in the range. Definitely planning on giving them a listen and they might move to the top of my queue.

1

Bill Cooper @hopebillhelps.bsky.social · Aug 9

Saturdays are for...digging through Nick Heyward's discography, I guess?

2 3

Reposted by Bill Cooper

Buddy Gott @buddygott.bsky.social · Aug 9

This is the YouTube version of the new episode of my Pop & Prose podcast. In it, I'm joined by fellow music lover and writer @hopebillhelps.bsky.social & we discuss our favorite albums released so far this year. 🎶🎧

#music #newmusic

Favorite Albums Of The Year (So Far)

YouTube video by Buddy Gott

youtu.be

2 10